held up towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders over 4f out, under pressure over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, not reach leaders
raced keenly in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, behind, under pressure well over 4f out, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on well
in touch, not much room after 1f, lost position over 4f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, slightly short of room inside final furlong, eased and no extra
tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened quickly
in touch, driven to lead inside final furlong, edged right, kept on well
held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, not reach winner
soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened 2f out
Running without a penalty after last time out success this looks a good opportunity for SGT SCHULTZ to follow up ahead of Distinctive Image and The Carlton Cannes. A return to the UK after some disappointing runs in Dubai was exactly what the doctor ordered for the selection as he scored over course and distance last time out. This is a step up in class but running off the same mark he should go well and he ran with credit in a similar race off a higher rating in January. Distinctive Image was only beaten a nose by the selection but because he re-opposes on the same terms it's difficult to see that form reversed although he should be close. The Carlton Cannes hasn't be seen for 173 days but did very little wrong in four starts on the polytrack last season. His mark looks a little on the high side considering what he beat last season but he is unexposed enough to improve and go close. Hunting Country should continue to run well under this mark but may need it eased before he scores so instead we turn to Sgt Schultz.
Grande Caiman (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, no headway final 2f, eased when well beaten inside final furlong, last of 9, 27l behind Philatelist (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Dansili Dancer 25-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 5th of 19, 3/4l behind Night Crescendo (8-11) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gs in Oct.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 13-2 (9-6) Keen, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, carried centre and every chance from over 1f out, led final strides, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar beating Distinctive Image (8-8) by ns, 8 ran.
Humble Opinion 9-2 (9-6) Tracked leader, edged left over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Distinctive Image (8-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Mar.
The Carlton Cannes 3-1fav (9-5) Mid-division, headway when switched left 2f out, ran on strongly final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 12, nk behind Boz (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Oct.
Hunting Country 11-4 (8-12) In touch, ridden along 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Tarkheena Prince (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (3) fbs in Nov.
Hatton Flight 8-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, moderate late headway, never nearer, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Night Crescendo (8-10) at Ascot 1m 4f hcap (2) gd in Sep.
Distinctive Image (USA) 3-1fav (8-8) Keen, held up, improved to 4th 3f out, ridden 2f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, driven and ran on close home, just failed, 2nd of 8, ns behind Sgt Schultz (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar.
My Mate Max 14-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 8l behind Silk Hall (9-6) at Great Leighs 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.
